An afternoon on the last Saturday in April at Hollywood Park is not usually where you’ll find a Kentucky Derby hopeful starting, but such is the case with 7-to-5 morning line favorite Tiz a Minister in the $300,000 Snow Chief Stakes against seven other California-breds over 1 1/8-miles on Cushion Track.

Tied with a trio of others with 20 Kentucky Derby points, the Ministers Wild Cat colt is ranked No. 22 on the points standings list after tie-breakers, however with the likely defection of others should have a spot in the 20-horse field at Churchill Downs next Saturday if his connections so desire.

A plane flight to Louisville on Tuesday to wheel back in one week is a consideration, but the best laid plans can change quickly depending on how he runs and comes out of today’s race.

Tiz a Minister has won two of his last three against Cal-breds, including the California Breeders’ Champion Stakes at Santa Anita on January 26, and enters off third and fourth-place finishes in the San Felipe Stakes (G2) and Santa Anita Derby (G1), respectively.

Omega Star is the 3-to-1 second choice after getting his nose down first in the Echo Eddie Stakes sprinting 6 ½-furlongs at Santa Anita on March 30. The other win for the son of Candy Ride also came sprinting in his maiden breaker and he’s finished behind Tiz a Minister in both of his route tries. Read More

YES!!!!! $4 Win, $8 Place, $20 Show!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I NAILED IT!!!!!!!!!! As for y'all who wrongly accuse me of being a fraud: " I'll put a tiny little hunch play on Surfcup, but that's it. ".... I think that will put me well above even!!!!! As Sully said all you need it one winner! I noticed there was no speed, and he had the late distribtuion but was still up there with them. TM got hurt with those fractions!!! I Nailledd it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sorry for that one, Sully. Despite this one being the key, you still did very well today.